Using a Cleanser with Salicylic Acid, Is it Safe?

Where salicylic acid is used

There are many cleansers with salicylic acid on the market. Salicylic Acid is found in a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) skin products to help treat common skin issues like acne and dandruff. Adolescents commonly use a cleanser with salicylic acid as a face wash when they have acne. Separate salicylic acid products are also used for wart removal. Another type of cleanser, that may not come to mind immediately is none other than shampoo. Many shampoos contain salicylic acid, for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Check both the ingredient list and any Drug Facts panel. A product’s intended use, strength, and directions matter; a wart treatment and a shampoo are not interchangeable.

Is using a cleanser with salicylic acid safe?

When used appropriately, yes. However, it can cause skin irritation and dryness. Follow the product’s directions. For routine care of babies and children with sensitive skin, we prefer formulas without salicylic acid.¹²

What is salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid is an exfoliating ingredient commonly called a beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA, in skin care. The FDA notes that this familiar cosmetic term is not a precise chemical classification. Salicylic acid helps loosen accumulated dead skin cells; it does not need to reach the deepest layers of skin to work.¹²

Benefits of using a cleanser with salicylic acid

Salicylic acid can help unclog pores in acne and loosen scale in certain dandruff and other medicated skin products. These uses depend on the product and its directions.¹ Products intended to treat conditions such as acne or dandruff are drug products, even when they are sold without a prescription.⁴

A helpful acne ingredient is not automatically the right ingredient for a baby’s everyday bath. Our ingredient choices reflect the purpose of each Happy Cappy formula.

Is a cleanser with salicylic acid dangerous?

Salicylic acid can cause dryness or irritation, especially with overuse. Follow the particular label instead of a universal every-other-day schedule. Avoid applying it to broken or irritated skin, or over large areas without medical advice. Stop use and get medical help for hives, swelling, or trouble breathing.¹

Pregnancy is not a blanket reason to avoid every topical salicylic acid product. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists lists topical salicylic acid among OTC acne ingredients that can be used during pregnancy. Ask your obstetrician about the particular product if you are unsure.³

Tell your clinician or pharmacist about other medicines you use, including blood thinners, rather than assuming that all salicylic acid cleansers are suitable or unsuitable. The FDA also advises sun protection when using BHA cosmetics.¹²

Is salicylic acid safe for kids and babies?

The FDA advises avoiding BHA-containing cosmetics on infants and children. Ask your child’s clinician before using a salicylic acid product for cradle cap or another skin problem.²

As a pediatrician, I prefer a cleanser without salicylic acid for routine care of a child’s sensitive skin. That preference does not mean every use in an older child is inappropriate. MedlinePlus specifically cautions that children and teenagers with chickenpox or flu should not use topical salicylic acid unless directed by a doctor because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome.¹

No salicylic acid in Happy Cappy products

Happy Cappy does not utilize salicylic acid in our cradle cap shampoo. We make two varieties of cleanser: medicated and non-medicated. Both are formulated without salicylic acid, SLS, or SLES. Our cleansers function as shampoo, body wash, and facial wash.

One of our cleansers, Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo and Body Wash, is a dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis shampoo made with children’s sensitive skin in mind. Its active ingredient is 0.95% pyrithione zinc, which helps control flaking, scaling, and itching associated with seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. Follow its Drug Facts directions.

Our other cleanser, Happy Cappy Daily Shampoo & Body Wash, provides gentle cleansing for dry, sensitive, eczema-prone skin. It is non-medicated and does not replace prescribed eczema treatment.

Our choice to leave salicylic acid out reflects the needs of the families we formulate for. No cleanser can guarantee that every person will tolerate it. Explore the Ingredients hub for the full formulas and what we leave out.